Seacoast Science Center renovates iconic Tide Pool Touch Tank exhibit

Posted on January 29, 2018 at 9:15 am.

To kick off a year of major exhibit upgrades, the Seacoast Science Center has completed renovation of its iconic Tide Pool Touch Tank. This popular hands-on exhibit has been fully refurbished and now includes observation tools, interpretive signage with learning prompts, and naturalist-guided programs to help visitors “dive deeper” into learning about the animals and plants that live in the intertidal zone.

“Our goal for this renovation was to expand pathways for observation of the interconnectedness of life in a tide pool habitat,” stated Jeremy LeClair, Director of Exhibits and Technology. “We’ve added magnifying glasses and other scientific tools to encourage our visitors to get in touch with their ‘inner scientist’ by looking closely, making comparisons, and asking questions.”

After visiting the touch tank, the Center hopes that children and adults will have a new appreciation for the ocean and marine life when they visit our shore.

The tank is stocked with plants and animals native to our coast, including sea stars, mussels, scallops, oysters, kelp, and living algae. A flowing saltwater system keeps the tank at the proper temperature, level of salinity, and concentration of oxygen for its inhabitants.

Two more exhibit renovations are in the works for 2018. In February, the Center’s Discovery Den will be transformed into the Discovery Dock, an engaging seaside-themed learning space for young children. Later in the spring, the Center will install an exciting new 2,000 sq. foot exhibit called H2O Today from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. This major new exhibit will invite visitors to explore the beauty and essential nature of water, our planet’s lifeblood.